Side by side
Metabase vs Microsoft Power BI
Both stand on business intelligence tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source Self-hosted
Metabase combines data exploration, dashboarding, and sharing, with both self-hosted and cloud deployment options. Review the plan terms and deployment needs to decide whether its setup fits your team.
Visit Metabase Free plan AndroidiPhoneWindows
Power BI offers free personal report creation alongside paid options for sharing and additional capabilities. Consider the yearly per-user fees and the restriction on sharing from a free account when choosing a plan.
Visit Microsoft Power BIThe facts
| Metabase | Microsoft Power BI | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Not published |
| Runs on | Self-hosted | Android, iPhone, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | See the plans | Power BI Pro: $14 a month |
| Plans published | 6 | 6 |
| Maker | Metabase | Microsoft Power BI |
| Website | metabase.com | powerbi.microsoft.com |
| On business intelligence tools | #1 of 89 | #2 of 89 |
Metabase: what it does well
- Connects to 20+ databases and data warehouses
- Supports CSV uploads and built-in storage
- Includes embedded dashboards and scheduled reports
- Open-source instance remains usable after cancellation
- Plain-English queries are available
What to know first
- Open-source edition is self-hosted
- Starter is listed at $6 a month
- Paid plans start with a 14-day trial
Microsoft Power BI: what it does well
- Free account supports personal reports and dashboards.
- Desktop app is a free download.
- Integrates with Microsoft 365, Azure and other Microsoft services.
- Natural-language questions can produce visuals and reports.
- Supports embedding interactive reports in applications.
What to know first
- Sharing reports requires Pro or Premium.
- Pro costs $14 a month when paid yearly.
- Premium Per User costs $24 a month when paid yearly.
- Some plans have no listed price.
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